A Better Defense
Posted: May 15th, 2022 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 39 Comments »The Eagles defense was about as bipolar as it gets in 2021. There were times when the defense was outstanding and shut people down. There were other times when the unit seemed more like a speed bump than a real obstacle.
Dave Spadaro listed some of the highlights:
1. The defense allowed 18-or-fewer points in 10 games, tying Buffalo and Denver for the most such games in the league. Not since the 2004 season (11 games) had the Eagles accomplished that feat.
2. Philadelphia allowed only 117 explosive plays (16-plus yards in the passing game, 10-plus yards on the ground), the fewest in the NFC and tied for fifth-fewest in the NFL.
3. With five touchdowns scored, the Eagles were tied for second in the NFL in that category and they ranked 10th in the NFL allowing just 328.8 yards per game.
Wow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But…
Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021.
Will the defense be better in 2022?
Let’s look at personnel changes.
OUT
CB Steve Nelson
FS Rodney McLeod
DE Ryan Kerrigan
LB Alex Singleton
LB Genard Avery
LB Eric Wilson
DT Hassan Ridgeway
IN
LB Haason Reddick
LB Kyzir White
DT Jordan Davis
LB Nakobe Dean
The Eagles didn’t exactly lose much. They also didn’t add anything to the secondary (beyond UDFAs). That could change, but the Eagles are banking on returning players taking a big step forward. They think guys like Marcus Epps, Zech McPhearson, K’Von Wallace and Andre Chachere are going to be better than people on the outside think.
Reddick gives the team a difference-maker up front. He can fly off the edge and wreak havoc. In the past two years, he had 23.5 sacks and 8 FF. The forced fumbles stat is key. We know Jonathan Gannon really preaches the need for takeaways. To put that number in perspective. Josh Sweat and Derek Barnett have combined for 7 FF in their careers.
White and Dean bring speed and talent to the middle of the defense. They can cover a lot of ground, which is crucial for Gannon’s scheme.
Davis is critical because of his talent and versatility. He can play NT, DT or even DE. You can put him at nose and then have Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave as DEs in a 3-man line. That group could play the run effectively and allow the safeties to stay deep and focus on coverage.
Milton Williams also becomes a key player. He can play NT, DT or DE. Williams is a tremendous athlete and showed real potential last year. If he takes a big step forward this year, he will give Gannon another piece to move around and be creative with.
Davis and Williams give the Eagles depth on the inside. Cox and Hargrave can play less when backed up by talented players.
We know one of the changes that has to take place is Gannon getting more creative and more aggressive. He was way too passive last year. It was torturous at times. Late in the season, he started to open things up a bit.
The game against Washington really showcased a lot in terms of schematics, disguise, and pressure looks. To think the Eagles now have personnel that fits what Gannon wants to do and they now have the guys to possibly expand on some of the looks they showed here. pic.twitter.com/n6HOODPne2
— Pierre Baptiste Jr. (@PierreB3_) May 15, 2022
Fran Duffy gives a good breakdown of some creative blitzes from a December game. If Gannon spends more time attacking up front and trying to confuse QBs on the back end, the defense has a chance to be consistently good in 2022. Last year they shut down bad QBs and bad offenses. The Eagles then struggled any time they played a quality QB. That has to change.
It is possible that Howie Roseman will keep looking for more talent. There have been rumors that the Ravens might trade safety Chuck Clark. CB James Bradberry just got cut last week. More players will become available as some rookies and other young guys emerge.
Part of me would like to see the Eagles stick with the young guys. See what they can do. But those players have to show something in minicamps and in Training Camp. We know Howie will keep his eyes open for veteran talent, just in case.
*****
Eagles have been using Jeremiah Washburn as a DE/OLB coach. So they have interior linemen, edge rushers, and off-ball linebackers. Another sign of a hybrid defense in Year 2 under Jonathan Gannon.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) May 11, 2022
The Eagles have a LB group.
They have a DL group.
Now they have an edge rusher group.
All the groups are getting coached differently, as the roles are different.
The LBs play off the ball. They need to be able to diagnose plays, shed blocks, tackle well and also cover on pass plays.
The DL must be able to play 1-gap and 2-gap techniques. They need to be able to line up in different spots.
The edge rushers must be able to rush off the edge more than anything. They also need to be able to set the edge on run plays. They also could have coverage responsibilities so they need to work on that.
*****
Going back to Jordan Davis, here is a great breakdown of him from Josh Norris and Ben Fennell. This will get you fired up to see the big guy in action.
Eagles fans…
I don't think you'll find a better video explaining what makes Jordan Davis unique
He's truly one of a kind – with @BenFennell_NFL https://t.co/idD3cfO9M5
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 29, 2022
Can’t wait.
_
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] Une meilleure défense – Iggles BlitzWow, tout cela est très impressionnant. Cela ressemble à une sacrée bonne défense. Mais… Football Outsiders a classé les Eagles 25e en DVOA défensif. L’équipe a accordé 41 points ou plus à trois reprises. Ils étaient bons derniers de la ligue en pourcentage d’achèvement autorisé (69,4%). Et ce nombre était plus élevé à la mi-saison. Les Eagles ont dû se réchauffer pour réduire le nombre à cela. La défense était 31e en sacs. Les QB n’ont tout simplement pas été assez mis au défi en 2021. La défense sera-t-elle meilleure en 2022 ? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] Better Defense – Igles BlitzWow, this is all so impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… football outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in the defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. The latter died in the league in the permissible completion percentage (69.4%). This number was higher in the middle of the season. The Eagles had to warm up to get the number. Defense 31 was in bags. QB is not simply challenged in 2021. Will defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] Лучшая защита — Иглес БлицВау, это все так впечатляет. Звучит как чертовски хорошая защита. Но … футбольные аутсайдеры поставили «Иглз» на 25-е место в оборонительной DVOA. Команда трижды допускала 41 и более очков. Последний умер в лиге в допустимом проценте выполнения (69,4%). В середине сезона этот показатель был выше. Орлам пришлось разогреться, чтобы получить номер. Защита 31 была в мешках. QB не просто вызов в 2021 году. Будет ли защита лучше в 2022 году? […]
[…] Bessere Verteidigung – Igles BlitzWow, das ist alles so beeindruckend. Klingt nach einer verdammt guten Verteidigung. Aber … Fußball-Außenseiter ordneten die Eagles auf Platz 25 in der defensiven DVOA ein. Das Team ließ dreimal 41 oder mehr Punkte zu. Letzterer starb in der Liga im zulässigen Abschlussprozentsatz (69,4 %). Diese Zahl war in der Mitte der Saison höher. Die Eagles mussten sich aufwärmen, um die Nummer zu bekommen. Verteidigung 31 war in Säcken. QB wird 2021 nicht einfach herausgefordert. Wird die Abwehr 2022 besser? […]
[…] A Better Defense-Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%) ). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] बेहतर रक्षा – इगल्स ब्लिट्जवाह, यह सब बहुत प्रभावशाली है। बहुत अच्छा बचाव लगता है। लेकिन… फुटबॉल के बाहरी लोगों ने रक्षात्मक DVOA में ईगल्स को 25 वां स्थान दिया। टीम ने तीन बार 41 या अधिक अंक दिए। बाद वाले की लीग में अनुमेय पूर्णता प्रतिशत (69.4%) में मृत्यु हो गई। सीजन के बीच में यह संख्या ज्यादा थी। ईगल्स को नंबर पाने के लिए वार्मअप करना पड़ा। डिफेंस 31 बैग में था। QB को केवल 2021 में चुनौती नहीं दी गई है। क्या 2022 में रक्षा बेहतर होगी? […]
[…] Better Defense – Igles BlitzWow, this is all so impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… football outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in the defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. The latter died in the league in the permissible completion percentage (69.4%). This number was higher in the middle of the season. The Eagles had to warm up to get the number. Defense 31 was in bags. QB is not simply challenged in 2021. Will defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] より良い防御-IglesBlitzうわー、これはすべてとても印象的です。 いまいましい防御のように聞こえます。 しかし…フットボールの部外者は、防御的なDVOAでイーグルスを25位にランク付けしました。 チームは41ポイント以上を3回許可しました。 後者は、許容完了率（69.4％）でリーグで死亡しました。 この数はシーズン半ばに多かった。 イーグルスは数を取得するためにウォームアップする必要がありました。 防衛31は袋に入っていた。 QBは2021年に単に挑戦されるだけではありません。2022年に防御はより良くなるでしょうか？ […]
[…] Mejor Defensa – Igles BlitzWow, todo esto es tan impresionante. Suena como una maldita buena defensa. Pero… los forasteros del fútbol clasificaron a los Eagles en el puesto 25 en la DVOA defensiva. El equipo permitió 41 o más puntos tres veces. Este último murió en la liga en el porcentaje de finalización permitido (69,4%). Este número fue mayor en la mitad de la temporada. Las Águilas tuvieron que calentar para conseguir el número. La defensa 31 estaba en bolsas. QB no es simplemente desafiado en 2021. ¿Será mejor la defensa en 2022? […]
[…] Une meilleure défense – Iggles BlitzWow, tout cela est très impressionnant. Cela ressemble à une sacrée bonne défense. Mais… Football Outsiders a classé les Eagles 25e en DVOA défensif. L’équipe a accordé 41 points ou plus à trois reprises. Ils étaient bons derniers de la ligue en pourcentage d’achèvement autorisé (69,4%). Et ce nombre était plus élevé à la mi-saison. Les Eagles ont dû se réchauffer pour réduire le nombre à cela. La défense était 31e en sacs. Les QB n’ont tout simplement pas été assez mis au défi en 2021. La défense sera-t-elle meilleure en 2022 ? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] Pertahanan Lebih Baik – Igles BlitzWow, ini semua sangat mengesankan. Kedengarannya seperti pertahanan yang sangat bagus. Tapi… orang luar sepak bola menempatkan Eagles di peringkat ke-25 dalam DVOA defensif. Tim mengizinkan 41 poin atau lebih tiga kali. Yang terakhir meninggal di liga dalam persentase penyelesaian yang diizinkan (69,4%). Jumlah ini lebih tinggi di pertengahan musim. The Eagles harus melakukan pemanasan untuk mendapatkan nomor tersebut. Pertahanan 31 ada di dalam tas. QB tidak hanya ditantang di 2021. Akankah pertahanan lebih baik di 2022? […]
[…] Une meilleure défense – Iggles BlitzWow, ils sont tous si impressionnants. Cela ressemble à une très bonne défense. Mais … Football Outsiders a placé les Eagles 25e dans leur DVOA défensif. L’équipe a accordé 41 points ou plus à trois reprises. Ils étaient les derniers de la ligue en pourcentage d’achèvement autorisé (69,4%). Et ce nombre était plus élevé à mi-saison. Les Eagles avaient besoin de s’échauffer pour réduire le score à cela. La défense a terminé 31e dans les sacs. Les QB n’ont pas été assez challengés en 2021. La défense sera-t-elle meilleure en 2022 ? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] Better Defense – Igles BlitzWow, this is all so impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… football outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in the defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. The latter died in the league in the permissible completion percentage (69.4%). This number was higher in the middle of the season. The Eagles had to warm up to get the number. Defense 31 was in bags. QB is not simply challenged in 2021. Will defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] Melhor Defesa – Igles BlitzUau, tudo isso é tão impressionante. Parece uma defesa muito boa. Mas… os forasteiros do futebol classificaram os Eagles em 25º no DVOA defensivo. A equipe permitiu 41 ou mais pontos três vezes. Este último morreu na liga na porcentagem de conclusão permitida (69,4%). Esse número foi maior no meio da temporada. Os Eagles tiveram que se aquecer para conseguir o número. A defesa 31 estava em sacos. QB não é simplesmente desafiado em 2021. A defesa será melhor em 2022? […]
[…] Difesa migliore – Igles BlitzWow, è tutto così impressionante. Suona come una difesa maledettamente buona. Ma… gli outsider del calcio hanno classificato gli Eagles al 25° posto nel DVOA difensivo. La squadra ha concesso 41 o più punti tre volte. Quest’ultimo è morto in campionato nella percentuale di completamento consentita (69,4%). Questo numero era più alto a metà stagione. Gli Eagles hanno dovuto riscaldarsi per ottenere il numero. La difesa 31 era in sacchi. QB non viene semplicemente sfidato nel 2021. La difesa sarà migliore nel 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] একটি উন্নত প্রতিরক্ষা – ইগলস ব্লিটজবাহ, যে সব খুব চিত্তাকর্ষক. একটি অভিশাপ ভাল প্রতিরক্ষা মত শোনাচ্ছে. কিন্তু… ফুটবল বহিরাগতরা ডিভিওএ রক্ষণাত্মক ঈগলদের 25তম স্থান দিয়েছে। দলটি তিনবার 41 বা তার বেশি পয়েন্টের অনুমতি দিয়েছে। অনুমোদিত শতকরা (69.4%) সম্পূর্ণতা অনুসারে তারা লীগে সর্বশেষ মারা গিয়েছিল। আর সেই সংখ্যাটা ছিল মাঝামাঝি সময়ে। ঈগলদের সংখ্যাটি নামিয়ে আনতে গরম পেতে হয়েছিল। প্রতিরক্ষা বস্তায় 31তম ছিল। 2021 সালে QB গুলিকে যথেষ্ট চ্যালেঞ্জ করা হয়নি। 2022 সালে কি প্রতিরক্ষা আরও ভাল হবে? […]
[…] Better Defense – Igles BlitzWow, this is all so impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… football outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in the defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. The latter died in the league in the permissible completion percentage (69.4%). This number was higher in the middle of the season. The Eagles had to warm up to get the number. Defense 31 was in bags. QB is not simply challenged in 2021. Will defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] arrayarray […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] A Better Defense – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very impressive. Sounds like a damn good defense. But… Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles 25th in defensive DVOA. The team allowed 41 or more points three times. They were dead last in the league in completion percentage allowed (69.4%). And that number was higher at midseason. The Eagles had to get hot to get the number down to that. The defense was 31st in sacks. QBs simply weren’t challenged enough in 2021. Will the defense be better in 2022? […]
[…] sport as a result of 12 video games are slated to be performed Thursday/Saturday that week.)A Higher Protection – Iggles BlitzWow, that’s all very spectacular. Appears like a rattling just right protection. However… Soccer […]
[…] Une meilleure défense – Iggles BlitzWow, ils sont tous si impressionnants. Cela ressemble à une très bonne défense. Mais … Football Outsiders a placé les Eagles 25e dans leur DVOA défensif. L’équipe a accordé 41 points ou plus à trois reprises. Ils étaient les derniers de la ligue en pourcentage d’achèvement autorisé (69,4%). Et ce nombre était plus élevé à mi-saison. Les Eagles avaient besoin de s’échauffer pour réduire le score à cela. La défense a terminé 31e dans les sacs. Les QB n’ont pas été assez challengés en 2021. La défense sera-t-elle meilleure en 2022 ? […]
[…] wrote the other day about the Eagles defense having a good chance for improvement this season. That feels even more true […]